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Recent slower growth in medical spending may be a long-lasting trend due to structural changes that could save the U.S. hundreds of millions of dollars, two studies in the journal Health Affairs found. Changes such as increasing use of generic drugs, more efficient care and a greater share of out-of-pocket costs could lead to $770 billion in savings by 2021 if they curb growth for good. Slower growth from 2009 to 2011 appears to be mostly due to factors that go beyond the economy, researchers said.

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An analysis from GlobalData projects that the drug industry will earn additional profits of $10 billion to $35 billion in the next 10 years as coverage increases under the Affordable Care Act and despite new regulations and expiring patents on blockbuster medications. "The overall balance could be positive, thanks to an additional 32 million formerly uninsured citizens becoming potential customers, resulting in up to $115 billion of new business," GlobalData's Joshua Owide said.

TransCanada is now more careful about future cross-border projects because of setbacks in the approval of its Keystone XL pipeline, said Alex Pourbaix, president of energy and oil pipelines at the company. "When you're involved in one of these cross-border projects, you require a presidential permit. At any time in the process, especially one that goes four or five years, you get caught up in the election cycle," Pourbaix said.

Other industries are benefiting from the domestic shale oil production boom, according to a report from Standard & Poor's. The report determined that the shale boom plays a key role in economic growth and will help the U.S. attain energy self-sufficiency. The country, however, still lacks the infrastructure to export such resources, said David Wood, S&P managing director.

Recent slower growth in medical spending may be a long-lasting trend due to structural changes that could save the U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars, two studies in the journal Health Affairs found. Changes such as increased use of generic drugs, more efficient care and patients taking on a greater share of out-of-pocket costs could lead to $770 billion in savings by 2021 if they curb growth for good. Slower growth from 2009 to 2011 appears to be mostly due to factors that go beyond the economy, researchers said.

The most vulnerable could lose access to health care if Congress turns to hospitals for a larger share of savings as part of Medicare cuts, hospital administrators warned. A consensus appears to be emerging in budget talks around the idea of making hospitals and other institutional providers the source of the biggest share of Medicare savings. Negotiators are also considering requirements that drugmakers give bigger discounts on prescription medications dispensed to low-income beneficiaries of Medicare.